Dual purpose deployment line for a parachute system

ABSTRACT

A dual purpose deployment line for a parachute system is disclosed. The system includes a main line and a plurality of cascading release loops disposed proximate a first end of the main line. The plurality of cascading release loops are configured to be releasably secured to an aircraft anchor ring. The deployment line includes a release pin secured to a first end of the release line, where the release pin is in communication with the plurality of cascading release loops and adapted to pull free and release the cascading release loops from the anchor ring when a parachute is deployed. An optional locking pin is adapted to selectively secure the plurality of cascading release loops in place when desired to retain the deployment line to the anchor ring when the parachute is deployed and the release pin is pulled free.

I. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. 61/744,842 filed Oct. 4, 2012.

II. FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to a dual purpose deploymentline for a parachute system.

III. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Parachute systems have been used for many years to safely drop anddeliver cargo from an aircraft. Typical parachute systems include adeployment bag, a parachute, and a deployment line (e.g., static line)connected to the deployment bag and parachute canopy. The parachutesystem is generally secured to the cargo using restraints or straps.

In a “direct bag” deployment configuration, the deployment line is firstanchored to the aircraft. The cargo is then deployed causing tension inthe deployment line resulting in the deployment bag to be opened and thecanopy to separate from the deployment line and the deployment bag. Thedangling deployment line and deployment bag may then be retrieved andbrought into the aircraft by a crewman.

In a “release away” deployment configuration used in high altitudes, theneed for the crewman to retrieve the deployment line and deployment bagfrom outside the aircraft is eliminated. Instead of retrieving thedeployment line and deployment bag as in the “direct bag” configuration,the deployment line and deployment bag are released with the cargo. Onetype of “release away” deployment configuration includes a connectorbetween two segments of the deployment line, and a locking loopconfigured to hold the connector in place. Accordingly, when tension isapplied to the deployment line as the cargo is deployed, the lockingloop releases the connector so that the deployment bag and a section ofthe deployment line are released along with the cargo. A problem withthe current “release away” configuration is that the force required torelease the locking loop increases exponentially with the amount oftension in the deployment line. In addition, twisting of the deploymentline causes problems with the release.

Another type of “release away” deployment configuration uses a “threering system” to release the deployment line from the aircraft upondeployment of the cargo. This reduces the forces required to release thedeployment line from the aircraft. However, hard rings being extractedfrom the aircraft uncontrolled can strike and damage the aircraft and orthe parachute.

Another shortcoming of the existing “direct bag” and “release away”deployment systems is that the current deployment lines only allow forone configuration or the other while packing the parachute and do notallow for mission change in the aircraft. In addition the crewman cannotvisibly determine which type of parachute system has been packed orwhich packing method was used to pack the system, “direct bag” or“release away.” Thus misidentifying a parachute system as “direct bag”instead of “release away”, or vice versa, may cause significant problemsand damage.

Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a dual purpose deployment linefor a parachute system that allows for a single parachute packingmethod, easy configuration identification in the aircraft and alsoallows for mission change in the aircraft.

IV. SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsin order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of suchembodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of the one ormore embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or criticalelements of the embodiments nor delineate the scope of such embodiments.Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the describedembodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

In a particular embodiment, a dual purpose deployment line for aparachute system is disclosed. The system includes a main line and aplurality of cascading release loops disposed proximate a first end ofthe main line. The plurality of cascading release loops are configuredto be releasably secured to an aircraft anchor ring. In addition, asecond end of the main line is adapted to be secured to a parachutedeployment bag and a release line is routed along the main line.

The deployment line also includes a release pin secured to a first endof the release line, where the release pin is in communication with theplurality of cascading release loops and adapted to pull free andrelease the cascading release loops from the anchor ring when aparachute is deployed. A second end of the release line is adapted to besecured to a retention ring or other suitable retention device and aretention line is secured to the retention ring, where a second end ofthe retention line secured to the parachute. An optional locking pin isadapted to selectively secure the plurality of cascading release loopsin place when desired to retain the deployment line to the anchor ringwhen the parachute is deployed and the release pin is pulled free.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, one or moreembodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspectsand are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the embodiments may be employed. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings and thedisclosed embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and theirequivalents.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a particular embodiment of a dual purposedeployment line for a parachute system;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a section of the dual purpose deployment lineshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the section of the dual purpose deployment lineshown in FIG. 2 in a release away configuration;

FIG. 4 is rear view of the section of the dual purpose deployment lineshown in FIG. 2 in a direct bag configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the direct bag configuration shown in FIG. 4.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or design described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments or designs.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a dual purpose deployment line for a parachutesystem is disclosed and generally designated 100. Parachute systems areused for aerially delivering cargo from an aircraft to a groundlocation. The parachute systems may include static deployment lines toenable deployment of a parachute upon deployment of the cargo from anaircraft. As shown in FIG. 1, the cargo 126 is secured to a parachutedeployment bag 128 containing a parachute. The deployment bag 128 may besecured to the cargo 126 using straps 130 or other securement means. Thedual purpose deployment line 100 is used to connect the cargo 126 to theaircraft until deployed. The dual purpose deployment line 100 ispreferably used with a parachute system suitable for delivering cargofrom an altitude. Cargo risers may be used to suspend the cargo 126 fromthe parachute following deployment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dual purpose deployment line 100. Theconfigurations that may be used with the dual purpose deployment line100 includes: (1) a “release away” deployment where the deployment line100 and parachute deployment bag 128 completely detaches from theaircraft as the parachute deploys as intended; and (2) a “direct bag”deployment where the deployment line 100 and parachute deployment Bag128 stay with the aircraft while the parachute works as intended. Thedual purpose deployment line 100 allows a user to decide and selectwhich configuration is required and to change to that configuration justprior to deploying the cargo from an aircraft.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the deployment line 100 is configured in the“release away” configuration, where the deployment line 100 isconfigured to be released with the cargo 126 and the deployment bag 128.The dual purpose deployment line 100 may include a main line 112, whichincludes a plurality of cascading release loops 108, 110, 202. An anchorline 102 includes an anchor ring 106 on a first end to releasablyconnect to the release loops 108, 110, 202, and an eye 104 on anopposing second end, where the eye 104 is adapted to be secured to theaircraft using an aircraft anchor cable, for example. The main line 112and loops 108, 110, 202 may be fabricated of a material with a desiredstrength for tolerating loads and stresses related to the deployment ofparachutes and their associated loads. The materials may include textilematerials such as braided nylon, nylon webbing, polyester webbing,cotton webbing, and any other suitable material. The materials used maybe sewn or otherwise fabricated into a design or shape such that adesired shape and strength may be obtained.

The materials of the main line 112 and loops 108, 110, 202 may benon-metallic materials that have no potential to damage an aircraftduring deployment of the cargo when the deployment line 100 is at leastpartially outside the aircraft and flapping relatively uncontrollably.Existing deployment lines include metallic rings that often damage anaircraft during deployment and increase danger when retrieving thedeployment line in a direct bag deployment. Accordingly, minimizing sizeand number of metallic rings in the deployment line 100 reduces risk anddamage, particularly to the parachute canopy.

As described above, the anchor line 102 has a second end adapted to beconnected to the aircraft using the eye 104 or other similar means, suchas, for example, a carabineer type connector, or any other suitableconfiguration allowing connection and disconnection of the dual purposedeployment line 100 to the aircraft. A first end of the anchor line 102is adapted to receive the anchor loop 108 using an anchor ring 106. Thecascading release loops 108, 110, 202 may be configured to allow thedeployment line 100 and deployment bag 128 to either release with theparachute (i.e., “release away” configuration) or remain with theaircraft (i.e., “direct bag” configuration). Although the cascadingrelease loops 108, 110, 202 are described in the context of a three loopsystem, more or fewer loops may be used as desired. For example, thedual purpose deployment line 100 may include three, four, five, six, ormore cascading loops, depending on potential load and length of thedeployment line 100, among other things.

The anchor loop 108, intermediate loop 110, and locking loop 202, aswell as any additional loops, may be sewn or riveted, for example,directly to the main line 112. The anchor ring 106 may be secured to theanchor line 102. The anchor line 102 and anchor ring 106 are adapted tosupport a load associated with cargo 126. The anchor ring 106 may besized based on the load to be attached.

In use, the anchor loop 108 is passed or routed through anchor ring 106,and the intermediate loop 110 passed through the anchor loop 108, witheach loop folded over to restrain the loop under it. The intermediateloop 110 may be restrained, as shown in FIG. 2, by a locking loop 202configured to pass through the intermediate loop 110 and through agrommet 203 in the main line 112. As shown in FIG. 3, a release pin 206may be passed through the locking loop 202 to prevent the locking loop202 from releasing the intermediate loop 110, which releases the anchorloop 108, until the release pin 206 is pulled free. The release pin 206may further include a safety tie 208 to minimize the risk of accidentalor premature removal.

The release pin 206 is connected to a release line 116 via head 204, sothat upon a force being exerted on the release line 116 from theparachute deployment, the release pin 206 is pulled free from thelocking loop 202, thereby allowing the intermediate loop 110 to bereleased. Accordingly, the anchor loop 108 is subsequently released bythe intermediate loop 110, resulting in separation of the main line 112from the anchor ring 106 in this “release away” configuration. Therelease line 116 is adapted to pass slidably through a sleeve or pocketof the main line 112 to avoid the release line 116 from becoming tangledor otherwise encumbered.

The main line 112 includes a deployment bag loop 124 to be connected toan opening mechanism associated with parachute deployment bag 128 suchthat, upon a force being applied to the deployment bag loop 124 whendeploying a parachute system from an aircraft, the cargo loop 124 maycause actuation of the opening mechanism associated with the deploymentbag 128 and subsequent deployment of the parachute.

The retention line 122 is adapted to provide an operable connectionbetween a parachute and the main line 100. The retention line 122 may bea cord or strap, for example, having suitable strength for bearingloads. In one example, the retention line 122 may be a nylon orpolyester cord of a desired length, enabling a connection between theparachute canopy and a retention ring 120. The release line 116 ispassed through a restraining ring 118 proximate the second end of themain line 100 and secured to the retention ring 120 as well. Thus, acontinuous connection is made from the parachute to the aircraft. Theretention line 122 may be secured to the parachute prior to theparachute being packed into deployment bag 128, or alternatively, theparachute may be secured to the retention line 116 after being packedinto deployment bag 128 using an extension line outside of deploymentbag 128.

As described above, the retention line 122 is secured to the main line100. Both the retention line 122 and the release line 116 are attachedto the parachute via the retention ring 120. When a pulling force isapplied to the release line 116 by the parachute, a force is transferredto the release pin 206, thereby causing the release pin 206 to beslidably removed and pulled free from the locking loop 202. For example,because the retention line 122 is of a finite length, the force appliedto the release line 116 and the release pin 206 during deployment anddescent of the parachute (and cargo 126), the parachute will eventuallyexert a pulling force on the retention line 122. This force is nowtransferred to the retention line 122 so that the release line 116, therelease pin 206 and or any restraining rings or guides will not bedamaged while the main line 100 releases from the aircraft via therelease line 116 breaking the safety tie 208 and slidably extract andpull free the release pin 206 from the locking loop 202, such thatintermediate loop 110 and anchor loop 108 are released from the anchorring 106 and the deployment line 100 is allowed to breakaway from theaircraft line 102 and aircraft.

Upon reaching a delivery location, the cargo 126 may be deployed fromthe aircraft by pushing or otherwise forcing the cargo 126 to leave theinside of the aircraft. The main line 100 is a fixed length so thatpulling forces are exerted on the main line 100 as the parachute andcargo 126 descends away from the aircraft. Accordingly, a force exertedthrough the main line 100 causes an opening of the deployment bag 128and deployment of the parachute canopy. As the cargo 126 descends awayfrom the aircraft, the connection between release line 116 and theparachute and cargo via retention ring 120, results in a pulling forceand a pulling free the release pin 206 from the locking loop 202. Asdescribed above, upon removal of release pin 206 from the locking loop202, each release loop cascades loose, thereby releasing the main line112 from the anchor ring 106 and aircraft. Such a release results inseparation of the main line 112 from the anchor line 102.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the deployment line 100 is configured in the“direct bag” configuration, where the deployment line 100 and deploymentbag 128 is configured to stay with the aircraft. The cascading releaseloops 108, 110, 202 are configured to allow the deployment line 100 anddeployment bag 128 to remain with the aircraft. Similar to the “releaseaway” configuration, the anchor loop 108 is passed or routed throughanchor ring 106, and the intermediate loop 110 passed through the anchorloop 108, with each loop folded over to restrain the loop under it. Theintermediate loop 110 may be restrained, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, by alocking loop 202 configured to pass through the intermediate loop 110and through the grommet 203 in the main line 112. As shown in FIGS. 4and 5, a release pin 206 may be passed through the locking loop 202 toprevent the locking loop 202 from releasing the intermediate loop 110,which releases the anchor loop 108, until the release pin 206 is pulledfree. The release pin 206 may further include a safety tie 208 tominimize the risk of accidental or premature removal similar to the“release away” configuration.

In addition, the deployment line may be configured to a “direct bag”configuration by using a locking pin 214. The locking pin 214 isinserted through the locking loop 202. The locking pin 214 may furtherinclude a safety tie 210 to minimize the risk of accidental or prematureremoval. The locking pin 214 is easily visible so that a user mayidentify whether the parachute system is a “release away” as in FIGS. 2and 3, or “direct bag” as in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, the parachute may bepacked the same for either configuration, thereby eliminating mistakesby the rigger.

As explained above, the release pin 206 is connected to a release line116 so that upon a force being exerted on the release line 116 from theparachute deployment, the release pin 206 is pulled free from thelocking loop 202. However, instead of releasing the locking loop 202 andcausing the main line 112 to separate from the anchor line 102 as in the“release away” configuration, the locking pin 214 prevents the lockingloop 202 from being released. Instead, the retention line 122experiences the parachute deployment forces and the expendable materialattaching the retention line 122 to the parachute via the retention ring120 breaks thereby releasing the parachute and cargo 126 but retainingthe deployment line 100 and deployment bag 128 with the aircraft.

Accordingly, the crewman can select which deployment configuration isrequired by the mission upon reaching a delivery location. In addition,the crewman can change the configuration by either removing or insertingthe locking pin 214.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosedembodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined hereinmay be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope possible consistent with the principles and novel features asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dual purpose deployment line for a parachutesystem, the deployment line comprising: a main line; a plurality ofcascading release loops disposed proximate a first end of the main line,wherein the plurality of cascading release loops are configured to bereleasably secured to an aircraft anchor ring; a second end of the mainline adapted to be secured to a parachute deployment bag; a release linerouted along the main line; a release pin secured to a first end of therelease line, wherein the release pin is in communication with theplurality of cascading release loops and adapted to pull free andrelease the cascading release loops from the anchor ring when aparachute is deployed; a second end of the release line adapted to besecured to a retention ring, wherein the retention ring secured to theparachute; a retention line secured to the main line; a second end ofthe retention line adapted to be secured to the retention ring; aretention line secured to the retention ring, wherein a second end ofthe retention line secured to the parachute; and an optional locking pinadapted to selectively secure the plurality of cascading release loopsin place to retain the deployment line to the anchor ring when theparachute is deployed and the release pin is pulled free.
 2. The dualpurpose deployment line of claim 1, further comprising a release pinsafety tie to secure the release pin to the release loops.
 3. The dualpurpose deployment line of claim 2, further comprising a locking pinsafety tie to secure the locking pin to the release loops.
 4. The dualpurpose deployment line of claim 3, the cascading release loopscomprising: an anchor loop adapted to be routed through the anchor ring;an intermediate loop is adapted to be routed through the anchor loop;and a locking loop is adapted to be routed through the intermediate loopand then routed through a grommet and secured in place by the releasepin.
 5. A dual purpose deployment line for a parachute system, thedeployment line comprising: a first end of a main line having aplurality of release loops adapted to be releasably secured to an anchorring of an aircraft; a release line routed along the main line; arelease pin secured to the release line and adapted to pull the releasepin free to release the loops when secured to the anchor ring; and alocking pin adapted to insert through at least one of the loops toprevent the loops from being released when the release pin is pulledfree.
 6. The dual purpose deployment line of claim 5, further comprisinga second end of the main line adapted to be secured to a parachutedeployment bag.
 7. The dual purpose deployment line of claim 6, whereinthe release line is adapted to be secured to a parachute canopy.
 8. Thedual purpose deployment line of claim 7, further comprising an anchorline adapted to releasably connect the anchor ring to an aircraft. 9.The dual purpose deployment line of claim 8, wherein the release loopsare each comprised of a textile material.
 10. The dual purposedeployment line of claim 9, wherein the plurality of release loopsfurther comprising a locking loop adapted to be routed through a grommetin the main line and secured in place by the release pin.
 11. A dualpurpose deployment line for a parachute system, the deployment linecomprising: a main line; a release line adapted to be secured to aparachute; a release pin secured to a first end of the release line, aplurality of cascading release loops disposed on the main line and incommunication with the release pin, wherein the release pin is adaptedto pull free when a parachute is deployed; and a locking pin toselectively secure the plurality of cascading release loops in placewhen the release pin is pulled free.
 12. The dual purpose deploymentline of claim 11, wherein each of the cascading release loops areadapted to fold over an adjacent loop.
 13. The dual purpose deploymentline of claim 12, further comprising an anchor line secured to anaircraft and adapted to receive one of the release loops.
 14. The dualpurpose deployment line of claim 13, further comprising a retention lineto enable a connection between the parachute and the main line.
 15. Thedual purpose deployment line of claim 14, further comprising a releasepin safety tie to secure the release pin to the release loops.
 16. Thedual purpose deployment line of claim 15, further comprising a lockingpin safety tie to secure the locking pin to the release loops separatefrom the release pin.
 17. The dual purpose deployment line of claim 16,wherein the release loops are each comprised of a textile material. 18.The dual purpose deployment line of claim 17, wherein the plurality ofrelease loops comprises three or more loops.
 19. The dual purposedeployment line of claim 18, further comprising a deployment bag loopadapted to connect to a parachute deployment bag.
 20. The dual purposedeployment line of claim 19, the main line further comprising a sleeveadapted to slidably pass the release line to avoid the release line frombecoming tangled or otherwise encumbered.